VM deployment

I expect the two VMware hosts will have static IP address then you can use a crossover LAN cable (or even try a regular LAN cable since the LAN port will autodetect) to connect the two laptops so the two hosts can see each other or likewise, you can use a small hub/switch then connect both laptops to it.  If you prefer to go wireless, then connect both laptops to the same wireless access point.

Providing you have a DNS server in place within the network and running then you should be able to see all the hosts and guests machines otherwise you will have to reference each machine by IP address.

I have set static IPs with a crossover cable but don't have DHCP or DNS.  Do I set the gateway to be xxx.xxx.xxx.1 on both hosts?  And how do I set the VM adapters?

You don't need gateway or just put anything for it since none of the machines can get "outside" to the internet anyway so the gateway address value is not applicable.

The VM adapters will be configured just like any internal machine.  For example:

VM adapter for host 1 will be 192.168.1.1
VM adapter for host 2 will be 192.168.1.2
VM guest 1 - 192.168.1.3
VM guest 2 - 192.168.1.4
etc.

Andrew ... I have two VMs deployed on one laptop (Windows 10)  right now.  VM1 is a DB server using static 192.168.150.4   VM2 is a web server using static 192.168.150.6   Host is Windows 10 set to static 192.168.150.2   Second laptop is Windows 7 set to static 192.168.150.3   Laptops are connected with a crossover cable.  I've set the virtual network to VMnet0 (bridged).  I can ping all four IPs from any of the four machines.  I can ping VM2 from VM1 by hostname but not from the laptops.  There is an endpoint agent to be installed on each laptop but I continually get the message "unable to connect to remote server" when installing (I've also disabled Windows firewall) .  I can use the hostname:port in a browser and the page opens but I cannot authenticate.

Thanks Andrew